So scared

So after finding a lump in my breast and habe various tests, I was told on Monday that I have breast cancer. 

I am so scared and confused right now. I know I have to believe that it's all going to be ok but it's so hard when I have very little information about the type, stage etc. 

I am 34. I haven't told my parents, or even my daughter yet- I just don't know what to say right now. I know I have to tell them soon. 

I had a contrast MRI so will get the results from that tomorrow and hopefully get some more info on what I am looking at. At the moment the doctor is saying stage 3 but I am sure he said that is only really because of the size and it could end up being better.

  • Just a thought karen and poppy ... if you want to private message each other, so you dont loose contact ... just click on the other ones photo and it will take you to their thread ... and theres a message there about a friend request ... press on that ... then they can answer back and you can private message each other too ...

    Wer still here for you both if you need it too ...   Chrissie xx

  • Hi Chrissie. 

    Found out mine a grade 3 last night.  Still waiting for the HER2 result.  He said if it is I might have to have the chemo/radio before the op. Did you have to have it that way round? It's hard as I just want that god awful lump out now but might have to wait if it's HER2. 

  • Hi ya hunny ...  well I know it sounds scary, saying grade 3 .... and mines a grade 3 her2 ... the only thing is, all though it sounds the same, there's lots of things that make a difference ... where it is, as mine was starting to come through my breast, and I'd had my lump nearly two years before, and because of age, and health and circumstances, I'd left it ...  so didn't have an option really ... 

    I was so scared when he said grade 3, I just wanted a few weeks with my granddaughter (pictured) and never thought I'd come through the op ... but you know the thing with cancer is nothing's normal ... nothing follows patterns... and the one thing that's changed my thinking is even with that, I'm still here .. 10 months and doing o.k .. even spent xmas in Florida. . 

    Because my cancer lump was sent to the U S A for testing, it came back "contained " and low risk of spread ... i chose not to have radiotherapy... due to skin that doesnt heal ... but im taking tamoxifen for up to 5 years ... so against all odds ... hear i am chatting to you, making every day count ... so a grade 3 isnt always bad ... and at least your younger and can have other treatment ... 

    They probably want to shrink it first , and I had a full mastectomy on right , which I'm o.k with .. it shows me how far I've come... my granddaughter Emily, knew all about the op, we told her honestly but gently that nanny was poorly .. and a month after op, she was staying with me, and saw me fiddling with my falsy and she pulled my teashirt away to look... she yelled "O M G nanny, how are you going to feed babies now" I'm 63 ... and she made me laugh, then and every day since ...

    You see I've told you that, because you will feel lots of emotions now, and that's normal... but don't let cancer change who you are ... it's finding the funny things along the way, that help you cope with the hard stuff ... I've got a spare pair of boxing gloves you can use, to get in this boxing ring, and get ready to look it in the eye, and match it punch for punch ... I'll send you a friend request... if you want, I'm there to stay by your side, and although I can't take it away, l can stand by you every step of the way ... big hug Chrissie

  • Hi Poppy. As Chris says, OK, it’s grade three, not fantastic but do able. Chemo and radio are quite often done before surgery to shrink the little....... before he gets evicted on the end of a scalpel. Shrinking the tumour might mean the surgery has to be less radical too so the reasoning is good. 

    It’s not going to be easy, but all of us girls will do virtual hand holding so can get through this and have your lif back. 

  • Thanks everyone. Hopefully its nice to know that I am not alone. I know I can do this - feeling more positive today. No matter what strain this is I will beat it. 

    Just would really like to know if I am having the op first or the therpy. The tumor is only small so he said he can remove it first but all depends on the HER2 result now. xx

  • Did he give you any ideas about when the results would be back.  

  • Hey found out it's HER2 negative last night.  Really pleased means I can go ahead as planned with my op on 15 May. Next week is going to drag. So up and down still positive one min, low the next.

    Thanks for the encouragement girls. X

  • That’s really good news Poppy!  15 May isn’t too long to wait either! If you haven’t already done it, your pre op assessment will be done very soon and then time to get the little ******* out and into a biopsy dish where it can’t do anymore damage!

  • Thanks Riley. Yes it isn't too long to wait at all. I think my pre op is over the phone next Saturday. 

    Can't bloody wait xx

  • Do some good fun stuff before op ... spoil yourself ... So so proud of you poppy ...